VISITING VIÐEY TO SEE IMAGINE PEACE TOWER

The island of Viðey in Kollafjörður Bay, just outside Reykjavík Harbour is a historic place. Archaeological investigations on the island in recent years have revealed evidence of settlement as early as the 10th century. The ‘father of Reykjavík’ Skúli Magnússon built the mansion and the church on the island in the late 18th century.

The Icelandic Government presented the City of Reykjavík with Viðey on the city’s 200th Anniversary on August 18th, 1986.

It is lit from roughly 1 hour after sunset until midnight – except John and Yoko’s birthdays and New Year’s Eve, when it is lit until sunrise. On October 9th and March 20th, it lights at 8pm.

IMAGINE PEACE TOWER RELIGHTS OCTOBER 9TH

IMAGINE PEACE TOWER will be relit during a peaceful ceremony on 9th October, John Lennon’s birthday.

Yoko will be paying her annual visit to Iceland this October, to signal the illumination of Imagine Peace Tower in memory of John Lennon on Monday 9th October – his birthday. The illumination will be at 9 pm.

Located on the Icelandic island of Videy, Imagine Peace Tower is an outdoor work of art conceived by Yoko. It was dedicated to John by Yoko at its unveiling on October 9th 2007, John Lennon’s 67th birthday. Each year since then Yoko has travelled to Iceland to illuminate the vast tower of light – and it remains lit from 9th October until the day of Lennon’s death, December 8th.

Yoko Ono says: “Iceland is such a spiritual place – I always feel such a strong energy when I return there. Love, peace, understanding and the power of nature are easy to forget in today’s fast-paced modern life. In Iceland, particularly on Viðey, it becomes easier to remember how important these things are to us all and to the planet. John would have loved it.”

Programme at the Illumination in Viðey Island

Ferry ride and City Bus

Yoko Ono invites everyone to sail free to Viðey Island for the ceremony of the illumination of the Imagine Peace Tower with the Viðey Island Ferry.

5:45 pm – 8:10 pm: The City Bus rides from Hlemmur bus terminal to Skarfabakki pier every 20 minutes. The City Bus is free of charge from Hlemmur bus terminal to Skarfabakki pier and back again.

From 10th October, IMAGINE PEACE TOWER guided tours start running every evening from Skarfabakki for approximately 1.5 – 2 hours. They unite history, art and nature in an interesting manner and give a deep insight into this magnificent work of art. The price for the IMAGINE PEACE Tour is 5.000 ISK per person and pick up from hotels and guesthouses in Reykjavík area is complimentary, and occurs 45 mins before the ferry departs.

Viðey House Café is open according to the schedule for our guests to enjoy lovely refreshments after walking around the island.

Walking paths in Viðey are easy for all and hikers have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful view over Reykjavik City and surroundings. On the eastern part of the island the history of the village and the fishing company placed there a century ago is made accessable and alive with information posters.Two magnificent works of art can be found on the west part of the island; Richard Serra´s Afangar and Yoko Ono´s IMAGINE PEACE TOWER.

On the map of the Earth planet, Iceland is a country situated in the northern
most part of our world. It is an ideal location from which to cover the Earth
with enlightenment and love.

Iceland is a magical and beautiful country. The electrical energy source for the
country and for the IMAGINE PEACE TOWER is geothermal – water, instead
of oil. No pollution. No war. This is just one of the incredible situations that
creates the magic of Iceland.

Right now, light is what the world so desperately needs, since, in varying
degrees, we all live in darkness of fear and confusion of the polluted world.

This column of light in Iceland will not be extinguished. It is the eternal flame
we send out to the world and the universe to give light and warmth, and the hope
and conviction that our dreams can come true.

I hope the IMAGINE PEACE TOWER will give light to the strong wishes of
World Peace from all corners of the planet and give encouragement, inspiration
and a sense of solidarity in a world now filled with fear and confusion.